FAILURE OF A CARBON-FIBER IMPLANT - A CASE-REPORT

Study Design. Case report. Objectives. Failure of a carbon fiber impla nt. Summary of Background Data. To simplify the procedure of posterior lumbar interbody fusion, a carbonfiber-reinforced polymer implant has been developed. The implant has ridges to resist retropulsion, struts to support weight, and a hollow area to allow packing of autologous b one graft. So far, no complications have been reported from the use of carbon implant as a fusion aid in spine surgery. Methods. A patient w ith postoperative infection has been: followed with computed tomograph y images and histologic examination from a reoperation. Results. An en tire nonunion across the width of the disc space and a clearly broken cage was visualized with computed tomography. The spinal canal was exp lored during a reoperation and the tissue surrounding the dura and ner ves were all black. Microscopic examination showed a large quantity of carbon particulate debris, The authors have operated on approximately 100 patients so far and no other carbon cage has broken, to their kno wledge. Conclusions. Carbon cages can break if a nonunion occurs and a s a result free carbon particles move out to the spinal canal.